Red Dawn

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tyler

Ahh well, it was a silly idea anyway. I really like the original, I have a bit of a soft spot for it after first watching it while recovering for getting my wisdom teeth out. John Milius's film is such a product of its time, the idea of remaking it now is pretty problematic.

So like another Chris Hemsworth film, the awesome Cabin in the Woods, this film was shelved in 2009 when MGM fell into financial difficulties. Originally conceived to have China as the bad guys it has since been repurposed to have North Korea as the evil invading army. (Because China is now one of the most sort after film markets and North Korea had a convenient change in leadership...) In truth, I spent most of the film looking out for all the digitally replaced arm bands, banners, signs and I think I even spotted some digital lip syncing in one scene. Unfortunately that was probably the most fun part of the film. 

The film is all over the place. An action scene that ends in tragedy immediately followed by a fun bonding scene then followed by an inspirational speech and ill-conceived action. Jumping all over the place like that really hurts the film, it feels like we are missing a whole bunch of connective tissue. More annoyingly the most interesting part of the film for me, seeing these kids go through hell and have to learn to fight for their survival, well that's all done away with in a little training montage.

The whole affair is just flaccid. The shaky cam is annoying. The writing is pretty bad and the cast do what they can but can't save it. Meh.